Now recognised as one of the best alpine village ski destinations in Europe, it continues to get better and better for novices and discerning skiers alike. Châtel is situated on the French / Swiss border between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc. In the heart of the huge Portes du Soleil ski area, Châtel has retained it's traditional charm whilst becoming a well known haunt for wintersports ethusiasts.

We have used the excellent family run Hotel Belalp** and Hotel Choucas** in the centre of Chatel since 1993.

1200 - 2340m

2 telecabines. 13 chairlifts. 25 drag lifts. 4 rope tows.
Blacks 5. Reds 16. Blues 13. Greens 15.

Portes du Soleil info: 4 cable cars. 10 telecabines. 83 chairlifts. 111 button lifts. 148 piste machines. 577 snow canons.
Black runs 28. Red 107. Blue 112. Green 41. 650kms of piste and endless off piste opportunities.
Snow parks 7. 4 half pipes. 4 boarder cross.
90 mins from Geneva
8 hours drive from Calais

Ski a different area every day and not ski the same piste twice !

Perhaps ski the Swiss side in the morning and stop for lunch in France, waiter or self service, there is a huge choice of quality good value mountain restaurants. The area also has a superb snow record from mid December till late April, combined with extensive artificial snow making all over the Portes du Soleil there is rarely a problem with insufficient snow cover ( if there was would we still be here after 18 years ?).

If skiing is not enough, the village has an ice rink, a 650 metre artificial luge run, 2 cinemas, many lively bars some with live music, 3 creperies and 5 pizzerias and a ten pin bowling alley. The village market takes place on Wednesday mornings, and there a lots of shops for purchasing local products such as Abondance cheese, honey and Savoie wine. There are 3 banks all with ATMs